Class Activity #4 Psy

ADHD

Here are the diagnostic criteria for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

A. Either (1) or (2): 

(1) inattention: six (or more) of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level: 

(a) often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities 
(b) often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities 
(c) often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly 
(d) often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish school work, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions) 
(e) often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities 
(f) often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework) 
(g) often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools) 
(h) is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli 
(i) is often forgetful in daily activities 

(2) hyperactivity-impulsivity: six (or more) of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

Hyperactivity 

(a) often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat 
(b) often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected 
(c) often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness) 
(d) often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly 
(e) is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor” 
(f) often talks excessively

Impulsivity

(g) often blurts out answers before questions have been completed 
(h) often has difficulty awaiting turn 
(i) often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games)

Watch the following brief case study of a three-year-old boy named Nicholas:

Nicholas’s Story : http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/medicating/watch/

Using the diagnostic criteria, do you think Nicholas has ADHD?  Give several examples to support your diagnosis. Do you feel comfortable with your conclusion? (Take into consideration the child’s age, gender, school and family environment.) If Nicholas was your little boy, and mental health professionals were suggesting drug therapy for him, what would you do?

Type your responses in a Word document and click the assignment title to attach your Word document. Include “activity_four” and your name in the file name to ensure you receive credit for submitting your assignment (activity_four_john_smith.doc).

You can check if your assignment was successfully submitted by accessing your My Grades page. Your assignment should be in Needs Grading ( exclamation mark represents Needs Grading status ) status, which means it is ready to be accessed and graded. Click the exclamation mark to see the Review Submission History page. This assignment is worth 2 points and will be graded according to the following grading criteria.

Criteria
1.	Student supports or rejects a diagnosis of ADHD.
2.	Student has provided several examples to support the diagnosis and indicates comfort-level applying the criteria.
3.	Student discusses child’s age, gender, school and family environment.
4.	Student takes the perspective of the child’s parent.

 

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